AA Teccie (Paul)

Don't know why I always feel compelled to embarrass myself, but here goes: Thought Ulmus (Elm) initially coz seed-things / bracts(?) but leaves look Cornus (Dogwood) like, maybe, appen...dunno?! Anyhow's a least a start n I'm off back to them there PUWER Regulations Cheers.. Paul

Hi all, hope yer well. Albeit only applicable in England, as per 2012 'Trees Regs,', one of our contractors had a most concerning situation recently involving a LPA making a TPO on a tree resultant from 'his' Sect. 211 notice but didn't see fit to inform him...hence he turned up to do the job only to be informed by the tree owner about the TPO. He challenged this as the LPA indicated they were not obliged to inform him nor serve a copy of the order on him as an 'interested party,' which didn't seem right. Hence he turned to me for advice...and I duly went elsewhere (Mr Annett, former DCLG 'Arboriculturist' who cited the relevant legislation below) Procedure after making an order 5.—(1) As soon as practicable after making an order, and before confirming it, the authority which made it shall— (a)serve on the persons interested in the land affected by the order— (i)a copy of the order; and (ii)a notice containing the particulars specified in paragraph (2); (b)make a copy of the order available for public inspection, in accordance with paragraph (3); and ©in the case of an order made following service of a notice under section 211(3) (preservation of trees in conservation areas), serve on the person who served that notice the information specified in sub-paragraph (a). So, do bear this in mind. Cheers all.. Paul

You could try these Directory of Tree Surgeons - Arboricultural Association = circa 5.5k 'hits' per month TrustMark Tradesmen | Government endorsed standards = circa 12.5k 'hits' per month CHAS - The Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme = 764 'CHAS Buyers' (AKA commercial clients) not forgetting once you get ARB Approved, the others follow suit without further assessment audit (until the following year as they're annual review schemes) ...time to scarper Cheers, Paul PS Don't overlook the value of you local parish magazines too

PS Glad you took the "homework" thing on board...but don't stay up too late now!

Gents, thank you for your posts here and indeed thank you for joining me, and for your contributions...and challenges , today at Holmfirth. I glad you found the day useful, apologies I overshot a little on time but it appears to have been worthwhile. I look forward to receiving your applications for assessment in the very near future . You know where I am if you have any further questions. Thanks again and enjoy the rest of your evening. Cheers.. Paul

Yip, I reckon, albeit looking a tad chlorotic maybe

So, a disparity between 'theory' n 'practice' yeah. I guess the middle-ground is experience and perhaps tree species, i.e. vigour / vitality / condition, etc. n your comments are very valid...in relation to this species, and maybe Lime etc. Good stuff Mick, cheers Paul PS Who's panicking ...looks like you've got the job

Not necessarily a good thing, "last gasp" trying to recover photosynthetic material removed. Hmmmm , admittedly they're the one paying the bill tho

Hmmm, time for the reverse psychology approach then, i.e. tell them the opposite of what you actually want them to do Sorry, Friday afternoon. Very frustrating, and potentially dangerous, so record on personnel records and if repeated then enact disciplinary procedures...this assumes, as you've said, the instructions were clear, concise and effectively communicated, AND, ideally, documented on the site risk assessment which they signed. I don't normally advocate the 'stick' approach, generally much preferring the 'carrot', BUT, sometimes, hopefully very few n far between, you just have to...responsibilities of being the boss, n person ultimately responsible for H&S (albeit employees have duties / responsibility too and this action could be in breach of that.) Hope next week's a better one and at least it's the weekend. cheers.. Paul

Doing it in stages, i.e. phased pruning, would probably be the best option...trouble is also a more expensive on for the client. Hoping you're a good "tree welfare" salesman, remember point are it took the tree years to get to this size, so hitting it hard isn't generally good, plus 'topping / lopping' hurts trees and excessive pruning may result in extensive regrowth = future problems. Just quick "thoughts out loud".. Good luck. Paul PS This approach aligns with BS3998 2010 too

Paul , don't know what you mean...I understand myself perfickly...most of the time

"Monitor"...what, and who, meaning "by whom"...oh go on, for completeness, how? Thanks Paul

Adopting a "watching brief" here but the premise being by nominating someone 'appropriate', i.e. experienced / confident / competent, to manage the site / ground aspects of the operation they take control when things change, e.g. lots of children arrive near the site, rather than relying on the 'team-leader' who is often up the tree with enough to be thinking about. My experience is that once someone's name is written on the site risk assessment and they're assigned a specific role / duty, such as 'aerial rescue' which is now common place, they feel empowered, and responsible, and act more effectively....just hope they don't ask fer a pay rise Cheers, n watching wiv interest Paul

Agree with all the above, generally, and indeed my experience of people with the ISA Certified Arborist qualification via the ARB Approved Contractor is generally very positive in terms of both arb technical knowledge and practice. I too previously study the workbook, very useful, but never got round to doing the exams...boo hoo. However, and acknowledging that 'internationally', and certainly in N. America, the ISA Cert. Arb. is the way to go, but on a European basis it's also worth considering the Euro. Tree Worker qualification (see EAC - ) which has a deemed equivalency. "Food fer thought.." Cheers all.. Paul

Not as far as I am aware, but of course I'm not a 'legal eagle.' I think this link outlines it quite well Gaining Access to Neighbour's Land and I'm sure it's consistent with Mynor's book (but end of the day n eyes are too tired to read such small print.) Cheers.. Paul

Hi, you could try here Professional Tree Inspection 3 Day Course if no good look for other dates / venues here Training - Arboricultural Association Cheers, n good luck.. Paul

Sorry, "on a roll" see also http://www.ukfisa.com/assets/files/safetyLibrary/Health-and-Welfare/Lone-Working---FISA-Info-Leaflet-004-0415.pdf Cheers.. Paul

Coincidentally I've just read this on the FISA website which may be of relevance: "999 Text Service to assist hill walkers and climbers Mobile phone reception in the Highlands can often be intermittent or non-existent. If you are involved in an incident on the hill and need to call assistance but cannot make voice calls, you may now contact the 999 emergency services using a short messaging service (SMS) text from your mobile phone. The service was originally set up in 2009 for people who are hard of hearing or who have a speech impediment. The service has been successful in helping identify crime and enabling emergency calls to be made when otherwise contact would have been difficult or impossible for the people involved. The service will now assist those needing emergency assistance in the hills when mobile reception is poor and there is not enough signal to make a voice call. The benefit is that a text message can be composed and sent in a single operation. You should specify 'Police-Mountain Rescue' when sending the text, and include information about your location, nature of the incident and those involved. You will only be able to use this service if you have registered with emergency SMS first. Register now: don't wait for an emergency. To register, text the word 'register' to 999. You will get a reply - then follow the instructions you are sent. This will only take approx. two minutes of your time and could save your life!" Cheers.. Paul

Hi Stephen, hope you're well. Lots of good stuff already but, as a matter of interest, consider having a look here Lone workers Also, personal first aid kit, well stocked is worth including. Cheers.. Paul

Hi David, I would suggest "most appropriate" is one thing and being recognised / accepted quite another. Hence, respectively, I would suggest Lantra / C&G NPTC and IPAF (which, generally, has global recognition inc. for construction sites.) Cheers.. Paul PS Don't forget if you have CS39 (308) + MEWP ticket you don't need CS47 'chainsaw from MEWP.'

Think one ISA 'CEU' (continuing education unit) equates to one hour duration at, for instance, an AA event.

Perhaps, at least to some extent, regular quotes / invoices from yourself demonstrates a 'pro-active' system of tree management. Obviously, "belt-n-braces," you need to consider yourself in all of this in terms of qualifications, experience / competence AND insurance. Cheers.. Paul

The Health and Safety at Work Act, and the associated Management of H&S at Work Regs, place a duty on you as the 'employee' to tell someone if you think the work or inadequate precautions are putting anyone's H&S at serious risk. Hence I would suggest you have done this directly, albeit going through an appointed employee H&S rep would be a good thing to do...if there is such a person. If in response to this notification you are unhappy / dissatisfied with the employers actions to safeguard you / your work colleagues, then you should approach them again and consider lodging a formal grievance. You may wish to contact the HSE directly (see Raising your concern ) Good luck and I hope you get the matter resolved soon. Paul

Additionally, as they are the statutory body for AONBs, if the works are larger scale and likely to impact on the landscape it would be advisable to make contact with Natural England (see https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/natural-england ) Cheers.. Paul

Very useful stuff, thank you. Paul